Santa Barbara, United States 🇺🇸
#1275
,
Nomad Score:
65%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Santa Barbara is a beautiful coastal city located in California, known for its Mediterranean climate, stunning beaches, and Spanish colonial architecture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population is around 92,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speeds are around 200 Mbps with several providers offering fiber options. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is USD. ATMs and credit cards are widely accepted. 1 USD ≈ 0.84 EUR. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and comes from local reservoirs. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity is 120V, 60Hz, and uses Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major carriers include AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, with pay-as-you-go plans starting around $30/month. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banking services include Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and online options like Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include apartments, houses, and Airbnb rentals. Monthly rents range from $1,800 for one-bedroom apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless transactions are widely accepted across most establishments. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Vrbo are popular options for short-term accommodations. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like HI Santa Barbara Hostel offer affordable lodging starting around $40/night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Funk Zone is popular for its artsy vibe and proximity to the beach. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The Downtown area offers a mix of coworking spaces, cafes, and restaurants ideal for digital nomads. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Impact Hub Santa Barbara provides a vibrant space for entrepreneurs and freelancers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Handlebar Coffee Roasters offers a great environment for working with good coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com hosts various networking events for tech and creative professionals in Santa Barbara. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Santa Barbara Expats Facebook Group is a great platform for community gatherings and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft are the most popular ride-hailing services in Santa Barbara. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Santa Barbara Bike Share offers rentals around the city, promoting eco-friendly transportation. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | East Beach is a popular spot known for its sandy shores and volleyball courts. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Alaska Airlines and United Airlines serve the Santa Barbara Airport for regional connections. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest major airport, about 90 minutes away. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to US Route 101, connecting north to San Luis Obispo and south to Los Angeles. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Santa Barbara Train Station, servicing Amtrak and local transit. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | The MTD offers monthly bus passes for around $40. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services via Amtrak connect Santa Barbara to nearby cities like Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is the main healthcare facility offering comprehensive care. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Soup and CorePower Yoga provide excellent classes for wellness and fitness. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | 24 Hour Fitness and Planet Fitness are popular gym chains in the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats like The Laundry Basket are conveniently located throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and DoorDash are popular for food delivery in Santa Barbara. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | The Santa Barbara-style fish tacos are a must-try at local eateries. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Mesa Verde offer diverse vegan and vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | The Ice Cream Shop offers unique homemade flavors and treats. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Santa Barbara Farmers Market features fresh, budget-friendly local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon provides convenient online shopping options delivered within a few days. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Amazon Fresh are commonly used for grocery deliveries. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | State Street is famous for its vibrant nightlife, filled with bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Santa Barbara Brewery is a well-known spot for craft beer enthusiasts. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Collective offers fantastic local wine tasting experiences. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The Santa Barbara Food Truck Association regularly features a variety of food trucks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Los Agaves serves excellent Mexican cuisine and is highly recommended. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Santa Barbara Mission is an iconic landmark worth visiting. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Santa Barbara Museum of Art showcases a rich collection of artwork. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | El Presidio de Santa Barbara is a historic site offering tours and insights into local history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Old Mission Santa Barbara, known as the 'Queen of the Missions,' is a key religious site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Santa Barbara International Film Festival takes place each year and attracts many visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Funk Zone is known for its artsy restaurants and galleries. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Granada Theatre hosts a range of performances including concerts and theater. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Santa Barbara's Local Market at La Cumbre Plaza offers artisanal goods and food stands. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Venues like SOhO provide a lively atmosphere for music lovers. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The local arts scene includes various murals throughout the Funk Zone. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Santa Barbara Culinary Arts offers hands-on cooking experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galleries such as Sullivan Goss feature local artists and contemporary works. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is a stunning architectural landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Emphasis on local history and culture is evident in various districts and exhibits. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Channel Islands National Park offers beautiful outdoor adventures and sightseeing. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Los Padres National Forest, perfect for hiking and nature activities, is nearby. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The beachfront path offers scenic views and pathways for walking and biking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Viewpoints like Shoreline Park provide breathtaking ocean vistas. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Santa Barbara Harbor is a great spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Goleta Beach allows bonfires in designated areas for beach gatherings. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | FedEx and UPS provide reliable parcel delivery services throughout the city. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Apple Store and Geek Squad offer tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Parks like Chase Palm Park have outdoor table tennis tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Santa Barbara Language School offers language courses for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Santa Barbara Public Library offers quiet spaces for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Carrillo Recreation Center provides various community activities and programs. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Local cafes often host gaming nights; a specific gaming café is yet to be established. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos directly in Santa Barbara, but nearby casinos like Chumash Casino are available. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $500,000 (e.g., 600 sq. ft. studio averages around $833/sq. ft.) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $400,000 (e.g., similar studio spaces outside downtown can average $667/sq. ft.) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $700,000 (e.g., 800 sq. ft. 1-bedroom averages around $875/sq. ft.) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $600,000 (for similar size apartments in the suburbs at around $750/sq. ft.) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,000,000 (e.g., 1,200 sq. ft. averaging around $833/sq. ft.) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $800,000 (average of about $667/sq. ft. for suburban areas). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate in the USA is around 21%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The rate for dividend taxes is 15%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income with state and federal levels. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate in California is 13.3%. |
| 🧾 VAT | California does not have a VAT, but a sales tax of around 7.25% applies. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | The U.S. has CFC rules that apply to U.S. shareholders in foreign corporations, thus requiring filings. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxes generally are about 1.1% of assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Transfer tax is typically around 0.25% to 0.5% of the purchase price. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Santa Barbara does not specifically cater to digital nomads but offers appealing landscapes and lifestyles. |